US deports Iranian, Afghanistan, other migrants to Central African Republic

A US deportation flight carrying nationals from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Georgia was en route to the Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday, according to lawyers. This operation highlights the Trump administration's expanded crackdown on immigration, which includes deporting individuals to "third countries," even those with legal protections.

The flight, which departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, included individuals who had been granted "withholding of removal." This status, while weaker than asylum, has historically been considered a favorable outcome in immigration court. Lawyers expressed concern that these deportees might ultimately be compelled to return to the very countries they sought refuge from, a scenario that has reportedly occurred with other deportees sent across Africa.

“

We fear they will ultimately be forced to return to the countries they originally fled.

The US State Department's advisory for the CAR, an impoverished and violence-wracked nation, strongly advises against travel for any reason. Despite this, the administration is deporting Iranian nationals to the CAR, even though Washington is currently in a state of conflict with Iran, which Trump has labeled a "terrorist regime."

Lawyers and deportees have previously alleged unsanitary holding conditions in Ghana and indefinite detention in Eswatini. Some individuals deported from Ghana and Equatorial Guinea have reportedly been sent back to dangerous countries, a decision that US judges had ruled against. It remains unclear what will happen to the current group of deportees upon arrival in the CAR, as details of the deportation agreement between the US and Bangui are opaque.

“

are mainly withholding grantees from a variety of countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Georgia